Does the thought of painting your home’s exterior feel like a giant, confusing puzzle? You stand in the paint aisle, surrounded by cans. Glossy, matte, satin—so many finishes! Then there are the hundreds of colors that all look slightly different under the store lights. Choosing the right outside house paint is a big deal. It protects your biggest investment from sun, rain, and snow, but picking the wrong one can lead to peeling, fading, and wasted money.
It’s frustrating when you invest time and effort, only to see the color shift a week later or the paint start bubbling. You want your house to look great and stay protected for years. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the essential things you need to know about exterior paint, from understanding the different types to picking the perfect shade for your home’s style.
Keep reading to become a confident paint buyer. By the end of this post, you will know exactly what paint to look for, ensuring your next exterior paint job is a lasting success.
Top Outside House Paint Recommendations
- Use for a variety of indoor and outdoor project surfaces including wood, metal, plaster, masonry or unglazed ceramic
- Water-based acrylic formula is low odor, resist chips and provides long-lasting protection
- Covers up to 120 sq ft and dries to touch in 30 minutes for quick project completion
- Semi-gloss finish minimizes surface imperfections, goes on smoothly and provides excellent hide
- Prior to application sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper, then wash with a degreaser, allow the surface to dry and apply paint
- Ready to use, pre-mixed door and trim paint offers a fresh new look on interior or exterior metal, wood and fiberglass
- Water-based paint formula emits less odor and withstands fading for a long lasting finish
- Dries to the touch in 45 minutes, up to 3X faster than traditional oil-based paints
- Durable, chip resistant coating provides ultimate protection with modern curb appeal
- Beautiful satin door paint is available in 6 pre-mix color options for the perfect look
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
- For use on porches, patios, pool decks and walkways
- Easy to apply
- Highly durable
- Scratch resistant
- Cool surface technology limits surface temperature by up to 20%*
- ELEVATE OUTDOOR STRUCTURES: Refresh barns, fences, sheds, and exterior surfaces with durable paint that delivers long-lasting color and protection.
- ENHANCED DURABILITY: Resists sun, rain, and temperature changes to prevent peeling, cracking, and fading over time.
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT FINISH: Maintains a clean, uniform look in high-contact or messy areas with a resilient, long-lasting coating.
- FAST-DRY TECHNOLOGY: Quick-drying formula helps you complete projects faster with less wait time and effort.
- EASY MAINTENANCE: Enjoy a smooth surface that wipes clean easily, reducing upkeep and keeping your property looking pristine year-round.
- BRUSH ON PAINT – Krylon COLORmaxx Acrylic Latex Brush On Paint delivers premium coverage and superior color with adhesion and durability. This acrylic latex paint can be used on wood, metal, wicker, plastic/ceramic, wrought iron, drywall and masonry.
- INDOOR/OUTDOOR PAINT – Whether your paint project is inside or outdoors, this satin acrylic latex paint offers premium coverage to ensure your DIY and craft projects look great and last.
- SATIN WHITE COLOR – Color changes everything – from a furniture refresh to creative touch-up. Krylon COLORmaxx Acrylic Brush-On Satin White Paint is a classic color, perfect for a variety of projects, and the finish has a subtle sheen for a sleek look.
- EASY APPLICATION AND CLEANUP – This latex acrylic paint has an easy application, a smooth finish and easy soap and water cleanup. Dry to touch in one hour, half pint paint can covers up to 25 square feet.
- INDUSTRY COLOR LEADER – Krylon has been trusted by consumers since 1947. COLORmaxx features the widest color offering in the Krylon product family, to help restore, refresh and recolor any project. With Krylon, Make It Yours(R).
- PAINT + PRIMER IN ONE: Evolve’s paint-and-primer formula helps you get great coverage from the start, sealing your surface and reducing the extra work of multiple coats.
- AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE SHEENS, COLORS & SIZES: Choose from a curated palette of designer colors in Flat, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss sheens to match any style, room, or project. Available in 1-Gallons & 5-Gallons.
- EGGSHELL SHEEN – Soft, Velvety Glow: Offers a gentle sheen that balances elegance with durability. Ideal for moderate-traffic areas like dining rooms, hallways, and family rooms. Easy to clean without compromising the finish.
- STAIN & SCRUB RESISTANT: Built to last in real spaces, Evolve helps resist marks, scuffs, and water spotting, so your home continues to look polished and well-maintained.
- DESIGNED FOR MOISTURE-PRONE AREAS: Formulated to perform well in bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, laundry rooms, and other high-humidity spaces.
- Ready to use, pre-mixed door and trim paint offers a fresh new look on interior or exterior metal, wood and fiberglass
- Water-based paint formula emits less odor and withstands fading for a long lasting finish
- Dries to the touch in 45 minutes, up to 3X faster than traditional oil-based paints
- Durable, chip resistant coating provides ultimate protection with modern curb appeal
- Beautiful satin door paint is available in 6 pre-mix color options for the perfect look
Choosing the Best Outside House Paint: Your Complete Buying Guide
Painting the outside of your house makes it look great. It also protects it from rain, sun, and wind. Picking the right paint is important for a long-lasting, beautiful finish. This guide helps you choose the best paint for your home.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for outside paint, look for these important features:
- Durability: Good paint lasts a long time. It should resist cracking, peeling, and fading from the sun.
- Mildew and Mold Resistance: In damp areas, paint needs special ingredients to stop mold and mildew from growing on the surface.
- Adhesion: The paint must stick tightly to the surface. Poor adhesion leads to peeling quickly.
- Washability: You might need to clean dirt off your walls later. Good paint lets you wash it gently without removing the color.
- UV Resistance: The sun breaks down paint. High-quality paint fights off the sun’s strong ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Important Materials: What is Your Paint Made Of?
Outside house paint usually comes in two main types: Latex (water-based) and Oil-based (alkyd).
Latex Paint (Water-Based):
Most homeowners choose latex paint today. Water is the main liquid in it. It dries fast. Cleanup is easy; you just use soap and water. Latex paint stays flexible, which helps it handle small movements in the house siding without cracking. It breathes well, letting moisture escape from inside the walls.
Oil-Based Paint (Alkyd):
Oil-based paints create a very hard, smooth finish. They stick very well to surfaces, especially chalky or previously oil-painted wood. However, they smell strong. They take much longer to dry. Cleanup requires mineral spirits or paint thinner. They can become brittle over time.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the paint greatly affects how long it lasts.
What Makes Paint Better:
- High Solids Content: This means more actual paint material is left on the wall after the water or solvent dries. More solids equal a thicker, tougher coat.
- Quality Pigments: Good pigments (the part that gives color) resist fading better than cheap ones.
- Resin Type: The resin is the binder that holds everything together. Better resins make the paint stick longer and resist weather damage.
What Makes Paint Worse:
- Low Solids: Cheap paints use lots of water or thinners. This leaves very little protective color behind when dry.
- Poor Surface Prep: Applying good paint over dirty, dusty, or peeling surfaces guarantees the new paint will fail quickly. This reduces the quality of even the best product.
- Applying in Bad Weather: Painting when it is too cold, too hot, or too humid stops the paint from curing (hardening) correctly.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the paint changes what you should buy.
For Wood Siding:
Wood expands and shrinks a lot with temperature changes. You need a flexible paint. High-quality 100% acrylic latex paint works best here. It moves with the wood and resists cracking.
For Stucco or Masonry (Brick/Concrete):
These surfaces soak up paint. You need a paint made specifically for masonry. These paints are thicker and handle the rough texture better. They often have good alkali resistance.
For DIY vs. Professional Look:
A premium paint costs more per gallon. But it often requires fewer coats to get full coverage. Fewer coats save you time and labor costs. For a perfect, long-lasting job, spending more on premium paint usually pays off.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Outside House Paint
Q: What is the biggest difference between 1-coat and 2-coat paint?
A: A 1-coat paint promises full coverage in one layer. This is usually only true if you are painting a fresh coat over a very similar color. Most jobs need two coats for the best protection and true color.
Q: Should I use a primer?
A: Yes, always use a primer on bare wood, brick, or when switching from a very dark color to a very light color. Primer helps the topcoat stick better and seals the surface.
Q: How long does outside paint usually last?
A: High-quality exterior paint, applied correctly over a prepared surface, lasts between 10 and 15 years before needing a full repaint.
Q: Can I paint when it is chilly outside?
A: Check the can! Most paints need temperatures above 50°F (10°C) to dry and harden properly. Painting when it is too cold causes the paint film to break down.
Q: What sheen (finish) is best for the outside?
A: Satin or low-luster finishes are the most popular. They hide small surface imperfections better than a very shiny (gloss) finish, while still being easy to clean.
Q: Does paint color affect how hot my house gets?
A: Yes. Dark colors absorb more sunlight and heat. Light colors reflect sunlight. If you live in a very hot climate, choosing lighter colors helps keep your house cooler.
Q: How do I clean up oil-based paint spills?
A: You must use mineral spirits or turpentine for cleanup. Soap and water will not work on oil-based paint.
Q: What is “chalking”?
A: Chalking happens when the binder in old paint breaks down due to sun exposure. A white, powdery residue appears on the surface. You must wash this off before repainting.
Q: Can I paint over old oil paint with new latex paint?
A: Yes, you usually can. First, you must clean the old surface well. Then, you need to lightly sand it (scuff it up) so the new latex paint has something to grip onto.
Q: Is expensive paint really worth the extra cost?
A: For outside jobs, yes. The more expensive paints contain better resins and more solid materials. This means fewer coats are needed and the paint lasts much longer, saving you work later.